Which school of thought believes there is a universal law that supersedes all other laws?

The belief in a universal law that transcends all other laws is rooted in the philosophy of natural law. Natural law theorists argue that certain rights and moral principles are inherent in human nature and can be discovered through reason. This perspective posits that these universal moral standards should guide the creation and application of laws in any society.

Natural law stands in contrast to legal positivism, which maintains that law is determined by social facts and not by morality. While legal positivism emphasizes the separation of law and morality, natural law asserts that laws should align with moral norms that are universally applicable. Thus, the central tenet of natural law is that there are fundamental principles of justice that should govern human conduct, regardless of the specifics of local legal systems.

Utilitarianism, on the other hand, is a normative ethical theory focused on the consequences of actions and advocating for the greatest good for the greatest number, rather than a universal moral law. Legal realism emphasizes the importance of social influences and the realities of how laws are applied rather than focusing on abstract principles or a universal moral framework.

In summary, the belief in a universal law that prevails over all is a core element of natural law philosophy, which underlines the importance of inherent moral values in the legal